Pay-station telephone system.



' 1. ERICKSON.

PAY STATION TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12. 1906. v

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PAY STATION TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12. I906.

1,160,994, Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED NOV-12, 1906. I

. Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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J. ERICKSON.

PAY STATION TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

I APPLTCATION FILED NOV-12,1906. 1,160,994.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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PAY STATION TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-12, 1906. 1,160,994. E Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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J. ERICKSON.

PAY STATION TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-12. 1906.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6- LIQQQ.

'3' "M V JOHN ERICKSO'N, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 FIRST TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINUIS.

icense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application filed November 12, 1906. Serial No.'843,0 .2.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ERICKSON, a citizen of the United States of" America, and resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pay-Station Telephone Sys tems, of which the following is a specifieation. a:

My invention relates to telephone paystations in general, but more particularly to automatic telephone pay-stations that is to say, pay-stations for automatic or semiautomatic telephone exchange systems. In certain respects it will be seen that my invention is in the nature of an improvement on the automatic telephone pay-station system disclosed in application Serial No.

' 342,682, filed November 9, 1906, by Charles J. Erickson. In said prior application the system proposed by said Charles J. Erickson involves pay-station apparatus which is purely mechanical in its operations, al-' though it has provislons for openlng and closing the circuit of the subscribers telephone. As stated, however, the control or handling of the coin deposited in the apparatus is purely mechanical in character. With my improved arrangement as herein disclosed the control or handling of the coin! in the pay-station apparatus is accomplished electrically through the medium of one or more electromagnets adapted to be energized over circuitsincluding the subscribers line. In the preferred embodiment of my invention a secondary of the subscribers induction-coil is short-eircuited when he makes a call, and remains so shouldhe'not place a coin in the box. After hearing the called subscriber answer, the calling subscriber can,

however, then open the said shunt or shortcireuiting connection and thus render .his telephone operative for talking to the called subscriber. With this arrangement I am enabled to make provisions for more effectually protecting the telephone company against cheating or improper practice on the part of the subscribers or users of the telephones, as will hereinafter more fully a central oflice, in a system embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan in perspective the normal position of the locking relay armature with reference to the locking arm 5. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the slot and channel through which the coin travels. Fig. 10 is a top View of the same. Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the same. Figs. 12 to 20,.inclusi've, are detail views of the coin-slot and channel.

In the central oflice the calling substation #500 has allotted to it the first selector A.

It will be noticed that the central battery B has its positive terminal preferably grounded. The operating relays of the central ofiice switches are normally connected to the non-grounded terminal of the said battery, so that by grounding his line conductors the subscriber may operate the said switches, as is usually the custom in systems of the class in connection with which I have elected to disclose m invention. In addition to the said first selector there is shown at the central office a connector C and another first selector D, the latter allotted to the called line. The first selectors A and D are of the general type disclosed in United States Patent No. 815,321,, granted March 13, 1906', to Keith, Erickson & Erickson, and the connector C is of the general type de scribed in United States Patent No. 815,176, granted March 13, 1906, to Keith, Erickson & Erickson.

The coin-collecting device comprised in my invention may be considered as an attaehment with suitable terminals which may be electrically connected with the circuits of the telephone proper.

At the substation #500 the locking relay 2 and the releasing relay 3 of the coin-collecting device E are shown. The armature 4 of the said locking relay is normally unlocked, as shown at the substation #220,

but when the relay 2 is energized said armature is attracted, as shown at the left in Fig. 1, and locked by the locking armature 5, which latter is pressed to the right by the spring 6. When the relay armature 4 .is locked the springs 7 and 8, being under its control, are forced together to short-circuit the secondary winding 10 of the induction coil 11. Being locked, the armature 4 may be unlocked by the falling of a coin 14, which latter in its downward course presses the portion 15 of the locking arm or latch 5 to the right, driving the angled terminal 16 to the left, and permitting the armature 4 to resume its normal position due tothe'tension of the spring 7. Said armature 4 may be unlocked by the release relay 3. The winding of the said relay is included in the subscribers switch-release circuit, whereby the said release relay becomes energized when the subscriber restores the receiver to the switch hook. A ringer generator is shown at H and the busy signaling machine at I.

The substations in the system may be of any suitable or approved type. The substation #500, for instance, is provided with the usual talking circuits, switch-hook for controlling said circuits, and a calling and signaling device. The switch-hook 19 ,is provided with a number of cam arms 20, 21, 22 and 23 for controlling local circuits. .The cam arm 22 normally engages the ringer circuit spring 24, which circuit includes the ringer 25, said ringer being normally bridged across the subscribers line. The cam arm 21 normally controls the ground springs 26 and 27 for putting the subscribers calling device in connection with the ground terminal G of the battery B. Also, the cam arm 20, when the switch-hook is up, controls the local circuit springs 28 and 29. The release springs 30, 31 and 32 are controlled by the cam arm 23 for releas-' ing the switching apparatus at the central oiiice, as well as for energizing the release magnet 3"of the coin-collecting attachment.

. In the local circuit there are, of course, in-

cluded the transmitter 33, the local battery 34, and primary winding 35 of the induction-coil 11. In the secondary circuit that comprises the winding 10 there is included a condenser 36 for keeping the subscribersline conductors normally open.

The subscribers calling device may be of any suitable type. I haverepresented said calling device as comprising a couple of push-buttons 37 and 38, and a couple of springs 39 and 40 that normally engage the contact points 41 and 42, respectively. Sai springs 39 and 40 are adapted to be separated from their engaging contact points and thrust against a ground post 43. Said ground post (when the ground springs 26 62,-thereby energizing receiver 12 and the secondary' through which the current I i may be traced and 27 close into contact) is connected with ground G through the winding of the coil 2. If the subscriber #500 wishes to make a call he proceeds as follows: If he desires to call the substation #220 he removes his re- 'ceiver from the switch hook, operates the vertical push-button 37 twice and the rotary push-button 38 once; again the first button is pressed twice and the second button once;

for the last time the button 37 is pressed ten times and the button 38 once. By pressing the button 37 twice for the first digit'of the desirednumber the shaft of the first-selector A is raised two steps and the switch shaft wipers 45, 46 and 47 are raised to the second level of the line and private banks, respectively. The operation is as follows: When the spring 39 engages the ground post 43 an energizing circuit is established through the vertical line relay 50 of the firstselector A, in series with the winding of the locking relay 2. The current in this circuit flows from ground-Gr through the winding of the locking relay 2, through the springs 27 and 26 to the ground post 43, through spring'39, vertical line conductor 53, side switch wiper 54, contact point 55 to the vertical line relay 50, bridge-cut-ofl springs 56 and 57 to the battery lead 58, thence through battery B and to ground G. By the first impulse the locking magnet 2 is energized, together with the vertical line relay 50. The said locking magnet then attracts its armature 4 and permits the spring 6 to force the angled section 16 over the armature 4, thereby locking the said magnet. It will be understood that the said angled section 16 normally rests against the left-hand terminalof the armature 4, as shown at substation #220. As soon} as the springs 7 and 8 are forced into contact, as previously stated, the secondary winding 10 of the inductioncoil 11 is short-circuited. This short-circuit may be traced from the spring 7 to the conductor 59, thence to the secondary winding 10, conductor 60, thence to the spring 8 which, as stated, is inengagement with the spring 7. Each time that the vertical line relay is energized its armature presses the line relay spring 61 onto the ground spring the vertical magnet 63 The circuit flows for energizing the said vertical magnet by commencing with ground G and passing through the springs 62 and 61, private magnet springs 64 and 65 to the vertical magnet 63, through the battery lead- 58,'thence to battery B and to ground G. Each time the vertical magnet 63 is energized it operates to raise the shaft and shaft wiper one step. When the subscriber presses the spring 40 onto the ground post 43, the rotary line relay 66 of the first-selector A is energized. The said relay closes a circuit through the private magnet 67 as a result,

passes from ground G providing there are busy contacts 1 memes a and the latter then permits theside switch to pass from first to second position. The circuitthat comprises the said rotary line relay 66 may be traced as follows from ground G'throughthe relay 2, conductor 51, springs 27 and 26, conductor 52 to the ground post 43, then to, the spring 40, rotary line con uctor 68, side switch wiper 69, contact point 70 to the rotary line relay 66, through the bridge-cut-off springs 71,, 56 and 57, through the battery lead 58, thence through battery B to ground G.

Having once been energized, the locking relay 2 at thecoin-collecting device E is not further operated for the time being. The rotary line relay, however, upon attracting its'armature presses the line relay spring 7 2 onto the ground spring 62 and closes an energizing circuit through the private magnet 67. The current for the said private magnet through the springs 62 and 72 tothe winding of the private magnet 67, tothe battery lead 58, thence to battery B and to ground G.- The private magnetupon energizing and deenergizing allows the side switch wiper 72 to engage the con tact point 73, thereby closing an energizing circuit through the rotary magnet 74. The current in this circuit passes from ground G to the contact point 73, side switch wiper 7 2, through one winding of the magnet 7 4; to the interrupter springs 75 and 76 and to the second winding of the rotary magnet, through the battery lead 58, thence through battery B and to ground G. When the retary magnet ,74 is energized, as described,

the rotary armature operates to carry the shaft and shaft wipers in a circular direction. After the said magnet rotates the shaft one step, the side switch passes from second to third positidn, as is Well known, to pass over. If the private wiper 47 meets a grounded contact the private magnet 67 is retained energized, and as a result the side switch is not permitted to pass to the third position, but is locked by the said private magnet in the second position until the rotary magnet has carried the shaft and wipers over the less busy contact. If, as as sumed, the shaft wipers are stopped on the first contact of the second level of the line bank, the subscribers line conductors 53 and 68 will, when the side switch wipers 54 and 69 pass into engagement with the contact points 77 and 78, be extended to the connector C over the conductors 80 and 81. The second digit is called when the subscribers line conductors have been extended to the connector C. The vertical button 37 is now pressed twice, carrying the spring 39 onto the ground post 43, and as a result twice energizing the vertical line relay 82 of the connector 0. Current for energizing the said relay flows over the following path from ground G to the relay 2, conductor 51,

through the springs 27 and 26, conductor 52, through the ground post .43, spring 39, vertical line conductor 53, side switch wiper 54, contact point 77, shaft wiper 45, trunk conductor 80 to the vertical line relay 82, through the battery lead 58, thence through battery B and to ground G.

Each time that the vertical line relay is energized the line relay springs 84 and are pressed into contact, thereby closing an energizing circuit through the vertical magnet 86. This energizing circuit extends from ground G through the springs 85 and 84, private magnet springs 87 and 88, side switch wiper 89, contact point 90, vertical magnet 86, battery lead 58, thence through batteryB and to ground G. The vertical magnet, each timeit is energized, operates to raise the shaft and shaft wipers one step at a time until the said wipers are carried up two steps to a level in which are located the terminals of the line #220. When the rotary line conductor 68 is grounded, the rotary line relay 83 becomes energized through the following path: from ground G through the winding of relay 2, conductor 51, springs 27 and26, conductor 52, ground post 43, through the rotary line conductor 68, side switch wiper 69, contact point 78, shaft wiper 46, trunk conductor 81, through the winding of the rotary line relay 83, through the battery lead 58, thence te battery Band to ground G. The energization ten times over the same circuit previously traced, but when the springs 84 and 85 are placed into contact, the ,rotary magnet 97 instead of the vertical magnet 86 is energized, since the side switch. wiper 89 is now in engagement with the contactpoint 96. The energizing circuit for the said rotary magnet is from ground Gr through the springs 85 and 84 to the private magnet springs 87 and 88, side switch wiper 89, contact point 96, through the rotary magnet 97 to the battery lead 58, thence through battery B and to ground G. The rotary armature being attractedten times rotates the shaft carrying the shaft wipers 98, 99 and 100 into engagement with the tenth contact of the second level. The line wipers 98 and 99 are, therefore, placed in connection with the normal conductors 101 and 102 and the pr vate wiper 100 in engagement with the private normal 103.

The subscriber for the last time presses the rotary button 38 and grounds the rotary line conductor 68, thereby energizing the rotary line relay 83 over the circuit thathas already been traced. The private magnet 91 is again energized once and the side switch is shifted into third position. As aresult the subscribers extended line conductors '80 and 81 are connected with the normal conductors 101 and 102 at the instant that the side switch wipers 93 and 94 engage with the contact points 113 and 119, respectively. The subscriber then presses his signaling button 9, thereby pressing the spring 13 onto the grounded contact point 44. An energizing circuit is established through the connector vertical line relay 82 from ground G through the coil 2, conductor 51, springs 27 and 26, contact point 44, spring 13, through the springs 132 and:133 to the vertical line conductor 53, thence to the trunk line conductor 80, to the vertical line relay 82, through the battery lead 58, thence through battery B to ground G. When the side switch passed to third position, the side switch wiper 89 passed into engagement with the contact point 105, and when the vertical line relay is energized and the springs 84 and 85 are pressed into contact, the ringer relay 106 is thereby energized. The current for-energizing the said relay flows from ground Gr through the springs 85 and 84, private magnet springs 87 and 88. side switch wiper 89, contact point 105 to the ringer relay 106, then to the battery lead 58, and through battery B to ground (1. Said relay upon attracting its armature forces the springs 107 and 108 from engagement with the springs 109 and 110 and into engagement with the springs 111 and 112. As a result the ringer generator H is bridged across the norm il conductors 101 and 102 and the subscribers bell 117 at the substation #220 is then rung. The ringing Igurrent flows from the ranger generator the springs 111 and 107.. to the side switch wiper 93, contact point 113, connector shaft wiper 98, normal conductor 101, line conductor 114, through the switch-hook 115, thence through the spring 116to the ringer 117. to the rotary line conductor 118, rotary normal conductor 102, connector shaft wiper is 99, contact point 119 andside switch wiper 94. through the ringer relay springs 108 and 112 and back to the ringer generator H. The subscriber at the substation #220 upon hearing the signal removes his receiver 120 from the switch-hook 115 and thereby disconnects the bell 117 from across his line and bridges instead his secondary talking circuit'comprising the receiver 120 and the secondary winding 121 of the induction-coil 122, and the condenser 123. Since the paystation apparatus at this station #220 is in normal condition and the springs'7 and 8 are separated, the subscriber will find his telephone in condition for talking. Upon answering he speaks into the transmitter 33 and thereby induces a current in the secondary winding 121 which will pass to the line conductors 114 and 118. This current, by way of the heavy line conductor shown in Fig. 1, will reach the line conductors 53 and 68 of the calling substation. The current then passes from conductor 53 to the spring 39, contact point 41 to the springs 133 and 132 to the-push-button spring 13, through the condenser 36, conductor 60, through the springs 8 and 7 to the conductor .59, thence through the receiver 12 to the contact point 42, through the spring 40 to the rotary line conductor 68. Thecalling subscriber, upon hearing the called subscriber answer, drops the coin 14 into the slot to be hereinafter described, which coin then depresses the stock 15, releasing the armature 4, as described. At once the springs 7 and 8 separate, removing the short-circuit from across the secondary-winding 10 of the inductioncoil 11, so that the subscribers talking apparatus at the calling substation is restored. When the subscribers are through talking, the calling subscriber restores his receiver 12 to the switch-hook 19, which, upon descending, causes the. cam 23 to force the re-- lease springs 30, 31 and 32 into contact. As a result the vertical and rotary line conductors 53 and 68 are simultaneously grounded at G. The circuit from the said ground to the vertical line conductor 53 passes through the winding of the release coil 3 to the release spring 32,-thence to the springs 105 31 and 30 to the vertical line conductor 53; and from release spring 31 the connection is established to the rotary line conductor 68. Both line terminals being grounded Simultaneously theswitching apparatus is released 110 as follows:.Upon the simultaneous grounding of the line conductors 53 and 68 the line relays 82 and 83 of the connector C are energized simultaneously, whereby the socalled trunk release springs 127 and 128 are 115 brought into contact'and a circuit is established over the trunk release conductor lead- .ing from the private wiper 47, which release aieaeaa lease relay springs 129 and 130 into contact, as is well known, causes the energizatlon of the release magnet 131 of the selector A.

As soon as the ground is removed from the line all of the energized magnets that take part in the release are denergized. Had the called subscriber been busy the connector C would not have established connection with the called line, but would have released instead. This busy-release takes place when the rotary line conductor 68 is grounded at the end of the last digit, at which time, of course, the side switch of the connector is in second position,.and, therefore, the side switch wiper 95 is in engagement with the contact point 19'. The private wiper 100 of the connector having been carried into engagement with the grounded private bank contact of the busy line, the release magnet 131 is as a consequence energized. The pri- -vate magnet 91, upon energizing, carries the private springs 64. and 65 into contact. It will be understood, of course, that the rotary line relay 83 energizes, over circuits that have already been pointed out, when the rotary line conductor 68 is grounded, with the result that the springs 92 and 85 are brought into contact and the private magnet 91 energized. The energization of the private magnet, as already explained will cause the energization of the release magnet 131 by a flow of current from the grounded private bankcontact to the private. wiper 100, side switch wiper 95, contact point 49, private springs and 61 to the release magnet 131, thence to battery B and'ground G. Then, when the signaling button 9 is pressed, as described, the vertical magnet 86 and not the ringer relay 106 is energized. As a result the switch shaft is raised and the spring 134 closes in contactwith the point 135, and the busy signaling current generated by the machine 1 is sent out over the line to the calling subscriber from the coil 136 through the contact point 135, spring 13 1, contact point 138, side switch wiper 94, ringer relay springs 108 and 110, condenser 139, trunk conductor 81, shaft wiper 46, contact point 78, side switch wiper 69, rotary line conductor 68, through the spring 10 to the receiver 12, conductor 59, through the springs 7 and 8, through the conductor 60, condenser 36 to the push-button spring 13, through the springs 132 and 133, through the vertical line conductor 53, side switch wiper 54 to the shaft wiper 45, trunk conductor 80, through the vertical line relay 82 to the battery lead 58, thence to the coil 136 of the busy machine 1. The calling subscriber upon hearing the busy signal instead of dropping a coin, as described, will hang up his receiver and establish a flow of current through the coil 3, as already explained, to the vertical and rotary line conductors 53 and 68, and thence hand side the frame 0 to the vertical and rotary line relays 82 and 83, over circuits that are already familiar, to the battery lead 58, and through battery B to ground G. Said relay 3, upon being magnetized, attracts its armature 170, which draws the latch 5 from the armature 4, permitting said armature to be restored, as already "stated and for the purpose that has already been pointed out.

The coin-collecting box shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4: comprises the circuit-controlling mechanism J and the coin-box K beneath for receiving the coins as they pass through the circuit-controlling device. ment as a whole is assembled on the base M and is adapted to be secured to any suitable support La part of the telephone, for instance. The mechanism is protected by the cover N which has on its under'edge lugs 150 that are adapted to fit into the slots 151, as more clearly shown in Fig. 7. When the cover is first put into place the terminal 152 of the lug 150 clears the edge 153 of the slot 151, but upon entering into position the cover N is movedin the direction of the arrow (Figs. 2 and 7), so that the edge 153 of the slot 151 will enter into the slot 154:. When thus driven into position the lock 156, which is mountedon the cover N, registers with the aperture 157, so that when the key 158 is turned the lock plate or belt 155 will enter the said aperture 157, locking the cover in place. Of course, and as shown, the slot 157 is out into a section of the frame of the circuit-controlling mechanism J. It will be understood that the lock 156 is secured to the cover N by screws or any other method that may be desired. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 there is secured at the upper left-hand corner of the base M a short section of conduit 159 for admitting the cable that conducts the wires from the telephone proper to the circuit-controlling mechanism. At the upper right-hand corner-oi the cover N there is a coin slot 160 (shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:) through which the'money is dropped onto the ledge to be described, from whence the coin is then sent on its downward course when the subscriber presses the button 161.

The said button is maintained in normal position by the spring 162. The circuitcontrolling mechanism is mounted upon a frame shown in Fig. 5. 'This frame 0 in turn rests in a three-sided shelf 165, the open side being to the front. The shelf 165 is furthermore secured to thebase of the main frame by screws 166. On the rightis provided with a couple of threaded holes 163 and 161 by means of which the, said frame 0 is se curely held to the shelf 165. lhe said holes 163 and 164 are adapted to receive the screws 142, as shown. The locking and releasing magnets .3 and 3 (Fig.

The instru- 1) are set up suiiicient tension v mal position and ally within the frame 0 and secured thereto by the screws 167, Figs. 2, 3-and 4. The armature 4 of the coil 2, as shown, is pivotmounted upon the upright 169, and the armature 170 of the coil 3 is pivoted upon the section 171. There are two lugs opposite the place allowed to the magnet 2 and between which the latch 5 is pivotally mounted. The portion 15 of the said latch is shown in Fig. 5 projecting beyond the front wall 172 of the frame 0. Normally the armature 4 and the latch 5 are in such a position on the frame relatively to each other that the end 16 rests upon the circumference of the armature 4; but there is a spring 6 which, if the armature 4 is attracted, presses armature 4 and locks it in its attracted po-, sition. Near the base of the section 169 which supports the armature 4 there are suitable openings 174 to which the springs 7 and ,8 are fastened, which springs extend upwardly in front of the downwardly-projecting angled section 175 of the armature 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The spring .7 presses against the armature 4 and provides for retaining said armature in normal position. When the subscriber, after having obtained trunk line connection with the called subscriber, as described, energizes his release magnet 3 by pressing the release springs 30, 31 and 32 together for releasing the central office apparatus, the arm 177 of the armature 170 then engages the locking latch 5 and pushes the end 16'out of engagement with thearmature 4. The armature 4 returns to norengage. In connection with the circuitcontrolling device there is provided a coinselecting means whereby, when a coin .of improper size is dropped into the slot, the coin will be rejected; but if a coin of proper size is introduced into the machine the coin will pass through and produce the desired result. For instance, if the machine is adjusted to receive nickel pieces, then when one-cent pieces are dropped instead the same will run out of the machine; but the nickel pieces will pass through and operate the mechanism. The channels or troughs P and Q through which the coins pass are shown in Fig. 9 The channels or troughs are formed by the plates 179, 180 and 181. The plate 180 separates the trough P, through which the rejected coins pass, from the trough or channel Q through which the proper size coins pass to the coin-box K. The channel P terminates in a cup 182 secured to the said channel by the screws 183. The plates them a slot 184, and in the plates 181 and 179 is cut the angled slot 185, through which slots pass the sections 186 and 187 of the sliding member 188. In the plate 190 of the sliding member 188.

the terminal 16 over the .end and the pin 194 is equal to of the nickel piece.

the springs 7 and 8 dis- 181, 180 and 179 have cut in 1.79 the slot 189 is provided for the part The opening 191 of the plate 180 is provided for the reception of the micrometer screw 192 by means of which the diameter of the coin required to operate the circuitcontrolling mechanism may be varied. Through the circular opening 193 in the same plate the proper size coin is shifted to the channel Q which leads to the. circuitcontrolling mechanism and to the coin-receiving box K. To the plate 1'19 is firmly secured the pin 194, which latter in conjunction with the micrometer screw 192 allows the under-size coins to pass out of the coin- ,collecting device without, any operative effect, since the micrometer screw 192 is so ad shortest distance between its the diameter Then when a coin'having a diameter less than a nickel piece is inserte'd in the slot 196 it will pass down the trough 195 and the pin 194 and into the trough P which carries the coin to the cu 182. 'If a five-cent piece is dropped into t e slot. it is caught and retained suspended within the channel Pand in the slot 198 of the sliding member 188 between the micrometer screw end 195 and the pin 194. Now when the button plunger 197 is pressed the suspended coin is pushed from its supports by the lug 190, inner end of pin 19'? and member 199, and through the'opening 193 and into the trough Q where the coin in falling operates the portion 15 (Fig. 6), thus releasing the locked armature 4. It will be noticed upon justed that the referring to Fig. 5 that the lower part of the face 172 is cut away at 199 to allow the portion 15 to normally rest'within the channel Q in the path of the which, when the coin trough is in place, registers with the opening 199 (Fig. 5). Just below the bottom extremity of the channel P the coin-box K is provided with a funnel201 in which the coin drops and falls into the box K. The box K is provided with a suitable lock and key for maintaining the box in a closed condition. In Figs. 2 and 4 there is shown to the left side of the relay frame 0 a terminal clip 202 between the micrometer screw end coin. In the coin trough plate 181 is the opening 2 00 (Fig. 9)

comprising the springs 203, 204, 205, 206,

207, 208, 209 and 210. This clip is secured to the bracket 211, which is a portion of the shelf 165, in any suitable manner, while the springs are suitably insulated from each other. There is a corresponding clip 212 (Figs. 2 and 4) comprising the springs 213, 214., 215, 216, 217,218, 219and 220, said clip being secured to the frame 0 by screws 221. Said springs are the terminals of all leads for the relays and springs of the coin-collecting attachment. 'The last-mentioned springs, in the order given, are adapted to and from the latter branches run to t tral battery of fifty volts good results are,

obtained when the relays are wound to a resistance of thirty ohms. From the fore going it will be seen that I provide means by which an automatic subscriber may use his telephone for conversing with another subscriber by'first calling the subscriber and apparatus. With my improved arrangement it will be seen that the calllng sub money-receptacle.

then, in the event of a connection with the called subscribers line, depositing a coin in the slot of the receptacle adjoining the "coincontrolling mechanism. It will be seen that provision ismade whereby the calling subscriber's telephone apparatus is not inoperative to the extent of preventing him from hearing the called subscriber when the latter answers. At the same time, however, as intended, the calling subscriber cannot, even if he hears the called subscriber answer, use his telephone for talking. He can only do so after he deposits a coin in the slot of the In this way the calling subscriber can hear the called subscriber answer, but no conversation can be carried on between the two subscribers except and until after the calling subscriber pays toll by depositing the required coin in the slot of the money-box.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I provide an improved and highly efficient pay-station apparatus of general utility and adapted more particularly for use in conjunction with automatic or semi-automatic telephone exchange systems. It will also be seen that I provide an improved and highly eflicient automatic telephone pay-station exchange system having electro-magneticallyactuated or controlled coin mechanisms op erated over the line circuits by current supplied from the batteryat the exchange or central station. With the arrangement shown I find that a telephone company employing my invention, or equivalent embodiments'thereof, is more effectually protected -against cheating or improper practice on the part of the subscribers or users of the pay-station telephones. At thesame time the approved practice and desired operations on the part of the different automatic and other devices are retained and in'no way interfered with by the use of the pay-station scriber renders his telephone inoperative for talking as soon as he begins calling the number of the called subscriber, or as soon as he begins operating his impulse-transmitting or calling mechanism. At the same time, however, the calling subscribers telephone equipmentis operative for receiving, so that he can hear the called subscriber answer, but after this he can only render his telephone operative for talking with the called subscriber by depositing a coin in the box of the pay-station apparatus, as previously described. The deposit of the coin restores the pay-station apparatus to normal condition of course, and ifno coin is deposited such restoration may take place simultaneously with the hanging up of the subscribers telephone and the consequent release or restoration of the switch or switches which may have been broughtinto use at the exchange or central station. As herein disclosed the pay-station, apparatus is electrically controlledthat is to say, the handling of the coin. or rendering of the line inoperative until after the coin is deposited is accomplished electrically and through the medium of one or more electro-magnets, rather than mechanically, as previously pointed out.

What I claim as my invention is .1. In a telephone exchange system, the combination of a subscribers telephone, a normally open connection, an electro-magnet for closing said connection to render the telephone inoperative for talking, a toll device for maintaining the closure of said con nection, adapted to open the same when 0perated to assess toll, and electromagnetic means also adapted to open said connection.

.2. In a telephone exchange system, the combination of a subscribers induction-coil, a shunt or normally open parallel connection extending around onewinding of said coil, an electro-magnet provided with means for closing said shunt or parallel connection, a coin-operated device for maintaining the closure of said shunt or parallel connection, adapted to open the same when a coin is deposited, and electromagnetic means also adapted to open said shunt.

3. A subscribers telephone pay-station apparatus comprising a normally open electrical connection, an electro-magnet for closing said connection when the subscriber calls,

' bination of automatic switches, a subscribers calling mechanism for controlling the operations of said switches, releasing means for said switches, a subscribers hook-switch for initiating the operation of said releasing means, a subscribers pay-station apparatus including an electro-magnet,means for energizing said ma net when the subscriber calls, means for ren ering the subscribers station menace inoperative for talking by the energizing of said magnet, a coin-operated device for restoring the station to operative condition, and electro-magnetic means by which the pay-station apparatus is restored to normal condition by the initiating of the release'if a coin is not deposited. y

5. A subscribers pay-statlon apparatus comprising an electro-magnet, means for energizing the electro-magnet when the sub scriber calls, a switch closed bythe energizing. of said electro-magnet, a locking device for temporarily maintaining the closure of said switch, means for directing a coin against the said locking device to open the said switch, a second electro-magnet, means for energizing said second electro-magnet, and means by which the energizing of said second electro-magnet opens the switch it a coin is not deposited. p

6. In a telephone'exchange system, the

combination of a subscribers toll device, an

1 automatic switch provided with release by said armature, a locking ing operations of said switches, a plurality of sub-station electro-magnets,a toll device controlled by said magnets, means for calling through the winding of one of said magnets, and means for releasingsaid switches through .the winding of another' of said magnets.

8. In a telephone exchange system, the combination of automatic switches provided with release mechanism, release circuits for said switches, a subscribers sub-station apparatus provided with electro-magnets, a.

toll device controlled by said magnetic, 0p-

crating and releasing circuits for said switches, including windings of'said electro magnets, and subscribers means for controlling the switching and releasing operations of said switches.

9. A subscribers pay-station apparatus comprising an electro-magnet, an armature for said magnet, a switch acla ing the armature in position'to close the switch, means for directing a coin against said locking device to open the switch, means for preventing the opening of, the switch unless the coin is of proper size and value, another electro-magnet, an armature opertelephone,

ted to be closed as evice for 'hold ated by said second electro-magnet and adapted when attracted to engage said looking device to open the switch, a subscribers means for rendering said tele phone inoperative for talking by theclosure of said switch, a subscribers hook-switch, and means for energizing said second electromagnet by the depression of the hook-switch to restore the pay-station coin is not deposited.

10. A subscribers telephone pay-station apparatus comprising a normally open electrical connection, 'a'callingdevice, means at the central station having vertical and rotary motion responsive to said callin'gdevice, an

apparatus if a electromagnet for closing said connection when the Subscriber calls, a locking device for temporarily maintaining the closure of said connection, means operative after, said vertical and rotary motion for directing a coin against said locking device to open said connection, and electromagnetic means for also opening said connection. 11. A subscribers pay-station apparatus comprising an electromagnet, a calling device, means at the central station having vertical and rotary motion responsive to said calling device, means for energizing the electromagnet when the subscriber calls, a switch closed by the energizing of said electromagnet, a locking device for temporarily maintaining the closure of said switch, means.

operative after said vertical and rotary mo tion -for directing acoin'against the said, locking device to, open:the saidswitch, a

second electromagnet, means for energizing said second electromagnet; and means by which the energizing of said second electromagnet opens posited. v

12: In a telephone exchange system, the combination of a subscriberstoll device, an automatic switch provided with release mechanism, a subscribers device for controlling the vertical and rotary operations of the switch if a coin is not de-.

said switch, a subscribers device for. initiatv ing the release. of said switch through an electromagnet, and means including said electromagnet "for restoring the toll device 'bv the initiation of the release.

13. In a telephone exchange system, the

combination of automatic switches provided with release .mechanism, ground connection for calling and release purposes, a grounded battery adapted to cooperate with said subscribers ground connection in-efiecting the vertical and rotary switching and releasing operations of said.

switches, a plurality of substation electromagnet's, a toll device controlled by said magnets, means for calling through the winding of one of said magnets, and means for releasmg sald switches through the winding of another of said magnets.

14. In-a telephone exchange system, the

a subscribers combination of automatic switches provided with release mechanlsm, release circuits for said switches, a subscribers substation ap' paratus provided with electromagnets, a toll device controlled by said magnets, operating and releasing circuits for said switches, ineluding windings of said electromagnets, and subscribers means for controlling the vertical and rotary switching and releasing operations of said switches.

15. A. subscriberspay-station apparatus comprising an electromagnet, an armature for said magnet, a switch adapted to be closed by said armature, a locking device for" holding the armature in position to close the switch, means for directing a coin against said locking device to open the switch, means for preventing the opening of the switch unless the coin is of proper size and value, another electromagnet, an armature operated by said second electromagnet and adapted when attracted to engage said locking device to open the switch, a subscribers telephone, means for rendering said telephone inoperative for talking by the closure of said switch, a subscribers hook-switch, means for energizing said second electromagnet' by the depression of the hook-switch to restore the pay-station apparatus if a coin is not deposited, and means having vertical and rotary motion for extending connection from said telephone in the direction of the called subscriber.

16. A telephone system provided with a normally open connection for preventing talking, a relay for closing said connection, means for opening said connection to permit talking, and an electromagnet for opening said connection to restore the connection to normal condition when the called subscriber does not. answer.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 7th day of November, 1906.

JOHN ERICKSON.

Witnesses:

E WARD D. FALEs,

ARLES J. ERIOKSON. 

